3 . Tokyo — Manuscript Writing Cafe only allows writers on a deadline, and won’t let them leave until finished.
“The Manuscript Writing Cafe only allows in people who have a writing deadline to face!” owner Takuya Kawai tweeted. “It’s in order to maintain a level of focus and tense atmosphere at the Cafe! Thanks for your understanding.”
The Cafe charges customers by time used (it operates at a rate of 150 yen or $1.32 per 30 minutes), and is equipped with USB ports, computer stands, and free Wi-Fi. Struggling writers can also bring their own food and drinks since coffee and water are the only things available, but it’s pretty strict when it comes to the actual writing. Although the Manuscript Writing Cafe actually accepts a wide range of writers, from translators and copywriters to novelists and proofreaders, the rules are the same for everyone.
When entering the Cafe, customers must write down how many words they plan to write and by what time they plan to finish. Every hour, the staff will check on their progress and apply a predetermined pressure level to help move things along. For example, opting for the “S” course will have the staff more aggressively pushing you to get the work done, while the “M” course involves a more mild approach. However, the craziest rule of the Cafe is that writers are not allowed to end their session until reaching their declared goal or until the place closes down for the day. It’s not clear how the Café enforces this rule, but it is meant to keep customers from declaring ambitious targets they won’t be able to meet.
While some found it amazing, others said it was too much pressure. “If it were me, I would no longer be able to leave the store and would end up having to live there,” one person commented.
1. Which word can best describe the Cafe?
| A．Relaxing. | B．Unique. | C．Academic. | D．Conventional. |
2. Who may be the target customer of the Cafe?
| A．Jenny, whose job is to edit advertising materials. |
| B．Tom, who is interested in reading some proofs of documents. |
| C．Peter, who translates messages from one language to another orally. |
| D．Mary, who is accustomed to writing her novels without any pressure. |
3. Why does the author mention the “S” and the “M” courses?
| A．To explain a rule. | B．To present a fact. |
| C．To make a comparison. | D．To clarify a concept. |
4. What can be inferred from the last two paragraphs?
| A．Customers hold negative attitudes towards the Cafe. |
| B．Writers can leave the Cafe only when they get the work finished. |
| C．Customers must write down how many words they plan to write. |
| D．The Cafe staff may discourage the customers from setting unachievable goals. |
